Heimler's History: Articles of Confederation

Introduction

• First constitution of the United States.
• Debate among historians if it should be called a constitution or treaty.
• Formed post-independence from Britain to solve lack of government.
• Confederation: Union of states forming a central power.

Main Features

Power Distribution

• Majority of power in states' hands, minimal federal government power.
• Opening paragraph lists states, emphasizing state power.
• Article 2: Key phrase asserting state sovereignty.
  • "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence..."

Federal Government Structure

• Article 5 describes a single legislative branch.
  • No president or federal court.
  • Equal representation for each state in Congress.
• Small states and large states have equal power.

Centralized Government Necessities

• Central government needed for international diplomacy.
• Article 6 restricts states from international dealings without Congress.
• No national army; states maintain militias.

Powers of Congress

• Article 9 outlines limited federal powers:
  • Resolve disputes between states.
  • Fix standard weights and measures.
  • Super majority (9/13 states) needed for major decisions like declaring war.

Limitations and Amendments

• Article 13: Unanimous consent (13/13 states) required for amendments.
• Highlights difficulty in achieving unanimity.

Achievements and Flaws

• Established initial central government.
• Successfully avoided a tyrannical government by limiting power.
• Flaws led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
  • Resulted in drafting a new Constitution.

Conclusion

• Articles of Confederation were foundational but flawed.
• Led to development of the current U.S. Constitution.